Newsletter 15th March 2026

Mass Readings for Sunday, 15th March 2026

First Reading: First Samuel 16: 1, 6-7, 10-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Second Reading: Ephesians 5: 8-14
Verse Before the Gospel: John 8: 12
Gospel: John 9: 1-41

EUCHARISTIC MINISTRY TRAINING: All Eucharistic Ministers from our three Chelmsford Linked Parishes are warmly invited to attend a session of training and Adoration on Thursday 19th March at St Augustine of Canterbury Church.  
The evening will begin with Adoration from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, followed by training, and will conclude with Adoration and Benediction, finishing at approximately 8.15pm.  This takes place on the Feast of St Joseph, and Frs Barto and Michael would be delighted to spend this time with you. If you are a Eucharistic Minister, please make every effort to attend.

LOURDES WITH OUR DIOCESE: Join Bishop Alan and pilgrims from across our diocese in Lourdes this summer: Friday 17th - Friday 24th July 2026. Bookings open at https://www.tangney-tours.com/brentwood

DEVOTIONS IN OUR LADY IMMACULATE CHURCH: 
On Fridays at 2:40pm each week parishioners will lead the Divine Mercy devotions. All are warmly invited to join them in prayer.
Rosary and Adoration takes place before the 10:30 am Mass on Saturdays. The First Saturday Devotions - Adoration, Rosary and Fatima prayers are prayed before the 10:30am Mass on the First Saturdays of the month.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT:
Mondays before the 7:30pm Mass in Holy Name starting at 7pm
Thursdays after 9:30am  Mass in Holy Name starting at 10am
Fridays after the 9:30am Mass in St Augustine starting at 10am
Fridays at 3pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church

Library Bibles / CTS Booklets: We are happy to see that parish is making use of the books in the library!  Please do remember to return library books and CTS booklets when you are finished with them so that others can read them.  Many thanks!

SVP Chelmsford Fundraiser for Mothering Sunday: Pick up your ‘Mother’s Day Treat Bag’ for only  £3.50 and make her day!
A fantastic treat for your Mum, Grandma, Nanny or Nonna. See more on our website: https://www.chelmsfordcatholic.co.uk/groups/svp

FOODBANK COLLECTIONS FROM OLI AND HOLY NAME DURING LENT: Thank you for your continued support. Collections continue.

MENS FOOTBALL CLUB AT NEW HALL: A new football club for men of all abilities is starting in New Hall on Monday evenings in term time on Mondays, promoting men's mental health. It will take place at New Hall School, 3G Astro North Gate Entrance, CM1 6FU between 6:30-7:30pm. For further information please see the posters in church or email r.schreiber@newhallschool.co.uk

EASTER RAFFLE. The Holy Name Ladies group will be holding a raffle to raise funds for the youth of the Parish. Prizes will include an Easter hamper and many treats to enjoy over the Easter holidays. Tickets will be available after the Saturday night and Sunday morning masses on 14th/15th March, and 21st/22nd. Raffle will be drawn after 10.30 Mass on 29th March in the Canon Wilson Hall.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLOTHING:  If there are any parish families who would like to borrow clothing for their child’s first Holy Communion this year, it will be available after the 10.45 Sunday Mass at Holy Name on the 22nd of March and 29th of March. Please contact c.irven@talk21.com if you have any questions.

BAPTISMS THIS WEEKEND: We welcome Chiedozie, Chetana and Eabha as the newest members of our Catholic Community. Please keep them and their families in your prayers.

THE SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY: The SVP provides practical help to those in need. If you or someone you know could use support, call us on 07936 579230, or contact the Parish Office.

THE LEGION OF MARY: Support many through their prayer and in person ministry across the Parish. They meet in OLI Hall on Tuesdays at 10am and Holy Name Canon Wilson Hall on Thursdays at 7pm. New members always welcome.

EASTER AT NEW HALL: New Hall School are delighted to invite all to join them to celebrate the Easter Triduum from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday. For full details and programme, visit: https://isu.pub/6kxcZCk For booking, find New Hall School on Ticketsource.co.uk or visit: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/newhallschool.

Lenten Soup Lunch: Our annual soup lunch will be held at Holy Name in the Canon Wilson Hall on Friday 20th March at 12.30pm. All are welcome from all 3 parishes . Come and taste our delicious homemade soup and eat a simple lunch with us.

First Holy Communion Button Art Order Forms. We are fast approaching the deadline for the return of these forms. If you wish to place an order, please return your completed form using the contact details given, to ensure that the frame is ready for your child's First Communion Day. Many thanks. For more information please visit the website: https://www.chelmsfordcatholic.co.uk/groups/svp.

School Vacancies in Brentwood: Deputy Headteacher – Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary School, Chelmsford. Deadline for applications: 12:00 noon Friday 20th March 2026.

Rosary and Adoration takes place at 9:50am before the 10:30am Mass on Saturdays. The First Saturday Devotions - Adoration, Rosary and Fatima prayers are prayed at 9:50am before the 10:30am Mass on the First Saturdays of the month.

Parish Office: The Office next week is closed from Monday 16th March from 1pm until Thursday 19th March. New office address from Friday 20th March is Rochester House - 145 New London Rd, Chelmsford CM2 0QT.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED RECENTLY AND ALL FAMILIES WHO MOURN.
Philip CUNNINGHAM (RIP) Requiem Mass on Friday 20th March at 1:00pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church. 
Jane MCEVOY (RIP) Requiem Mass to be confirmed.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND OF OUR PARISHES, (AND ALL WHO ARE SICK.)
Susan Ager, Helen Bastian, Annie Blake, Maureen Byrne, Marie Callahan, S.Casimir OSM, Valerie Cummins, Doreen Cornish, Antonia Dias, Victoria Docherty, Peter Dodson, Madeleine East, Troy Erickson, Marta Fevola, Mary Fletcher, Teresa Foster, Moreen Healy. Michael Hoare,  Shelia Hughes, John Grainger, Robert Godfrey, Peter Hamilton, Connor Hickey, Cathy Ingram, Gary Iliffe,  Maureen Leatherdale, Stuart Lucas,  Anne Lowden, Kevin Lyons, Jim Machin,  Maura Magee,  Shelia Mayo, Henry McKeon, Monica McShane, Donny McColl, Anne Newland, Ann McDonald, Margaret O'Sullivan, Christine Staines, Maureen Sullivan, Patrick Waters, Anja Welsh-Smyth, Paddy Westrip, Gayle Williams.